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Dear Mark,

Shrimp trawling is one of the primary threats to sea turtle survival in the United States. Every year, the shrimp trawl fishery incidentally captures and kills thousands of sea turtles, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley.

For a short time, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is accepting public comments as it prepares an Environmental Impact Statement and reevaluates how to manage the shrimp trawl fishery.

We need you to send an email by April 29th.

“Turtle excluder devices,” or TEDs, prevent turtles from drowning in nets, but limited applicability and lax enforcement have led to thousands of sea turtle deaths. Turtle Island is requesting that all shrimp vessels using “skimmer trawls” that are currently exempt from using TEDs should be required to use TEDs. Turtle Island is also requesting that NMFS consider additional protective measures including increased observer coverage and increased enforcement of existing and future TEDs rules.

Please give sea turtles a voice and let officials know they need to do more to protect sea turtles from the shrimp trawl fishery!

Please submit your comment by e-mailing Michael.Barnette@noaa.gov by April 29th.

Below is a sample comment.

Dear National Marine Fisheries Service,

Please use this opportunity to do more to protect sea turtles from the shrimp trawl fishery, which has been the primary threat to sea turtle survival for decades. I am requesting that all shrimp vessels using “skimmer trawls” that are currently exempt from using TEDs should be required to use TEDs. I am also requesting that NMFS consider additional protective measures including increased observer coverage and increased enforcement of existing and future TEDs rules.